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Favorite Bench Vise?

Started by GaTrapper, March 08, 2016, 11:48:57 AM

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GaTrapper

Hey Y'all,

I'm in the market for a good, American made bench vise.

What are y'alls recommendations?

Larry

For metal work Reed or Wilton.  I think for woodworking the standard vise seen in schools is the Jorgenson 4" X 10" quick release.  It has been made by a bunch of different companies but I think Jorgenson is the last.  I have a old Desmond that gets regular use by kids in my shop class.

There are a bunch of specialty vises that are also good.  I've been on the lookout for a Emmert for 20 years...plenty out there but not in my price range.

Larry, making useful and beautiful things out of the most environmental friendly material on the planet.

We need to insure our customers understand the importance of our craft.

Kbeitz

There is a few good ones. I like Wilton the best but it's big $$$...
If you have a few weeks to read up on Vises then this is the place to go.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782&highlight=vise


I'm also a vise collector. I got some really neat ones.
If your interested I'll post some pictures.


Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

LaneC

Man makes plans and God smiles

sawguy21

I have a 6" Record machinists vise I am very pleased with especially since it was free. You are wise, I have been scared watching what some guys do on the cheap knockoffs.
old age and treachery will always overcome youth and enthusiasm

RCBS

Echo CS-3400, 550xp, Jonsered 2166, L3130 Kubota, '78 JD 300 backhoe, Kubota RTV900, JD2305, lots of sharp stuff and several firearms

Sixacresand

I inherited a very heavy vise that I got to use as a child in my Granddad's and Dad's Shop.  That was one of the first thing I chose when we divided up my Mom and Dad's stuff up. 
"Sometimes you can make more hay with less equipment if you just use your head."  Tom, Forestry Forum.  Tenth year with a LT40 Woodmizer,

coxy

Quote from: Kbeitz on March 08, 2016, 06:51:40 PM
There is a few good ones. I like Wilton the best but it's big $$$...
If you have a few weeks to read up on Vises then this is the place to go.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782&highlight=vise


I'm also a vise collector. I got some really neat ones.
If your interested I'll post some pictures.
please post some pics

coxy

is there different grades of wilton vise I got one from a store and it was junk

RCBS

Quote from: coxy on March 10, 2016, 07:16:44 AM
is there different grades of wilton vise I got one from a store and it was junk

Yes.
Echo CS-3400, 550xp, Jonsered 2166, L3130 Kubota, '78 JD 300 backhoe, Kubota RTV900, JD2305, lots of sharp stuff and several firearms

coxy

so tell me what one to get  :D :)

Kbeitz

Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

Kbeitz

I like this one a lot...



 

Never seen another like this one...



 

This one started my collection...



 
Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

Larry



My restored Desmond holding a 2" baby Wilton bullet vise mounted on a Wilton Pow-R-Arm.  The big Reed vise on another bench gets all the heavy work.

Both Wilton and Reed used to be made in the USA quality products.  Today its buyer beware and sometimes its hard to figure out.

Lot of other made in the USA quality vises out there.  The used market is where to shop...I think a new Reed vise with swivel base is around $1,500.

Larry, making useful and beautiful things out of the most environmental friendly material on the planet.

We need to insure our customers understand the importance of our craft.

Kbeitz

Neat... I have the same little 2" baby Wilton bullet vise mounted on a Wilton Pow-R-Arm.
I'll  post a picture tommorow.

Here is your twinn...



 
Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

Kbeitz

Here is a few small ones I have...



 

Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

coxy

I wouldn't mind spending 5-8 hundred but not 1500  :o I need one that will open 8-10in

Kbeitz

The newest biggest one made by Wilton that I know of cost $5800.00.
This is what i was told by the person that owns this one.
It's hard to see but I put a penny on the anvil part of the vise to show the size.



 



Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

RCBS

Quote from: coxy on March 10, 2016, 02:35:46 PM
so tell me what one to get  :D :)

Any of the ones that say USA on them should be good to go. 
Echo CS-3400, 550xp, Jonsered 2166, L3130 Kubota, '78 JD 300 backhoe, Kubota RTV900, JD2305, lots of sharp stuff and several firearms

Dave Shepard

My father had a like new 8" Chas. Parker. I'd have to have to replace it.
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

Kbeitz

Quote from: Dave Shepard on March 11, 2016, 02:11:17 PM
My father had a like new 8" Chas. Parker. I'd have to have to replace it.
Me and my brother ended up with 150 Chas. Parker vises. We was buying machines out of Scrantion Lace
when it closed up. I was buying tools and I was told that the vises was for sale. So I bought half and my brother
bought half. I think I only have around 3 of them left. We sold them for 5 times what we paid for them...



 
Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

Kbeitz

This is my biggest...



 



 
Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

Kbeitz

A few of my odd balls...



 



 



 



 
Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

Dave Shepard

Nice collection. The one my father has is very tall. If you put it on a normal bench, you would need a step ladder to use it.
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

Kbeitz

The oldest one i have i found in my barn. Thinking and hopeing that it was my grandfathers.
All wood. Even the screw part. It's not the best picture but it's in a tough spot to get a better one.



 



Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

Magicman

That one is a treasure.   :)
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

coxy

Quote from: coxy on March 10, 2016, 07:16:44 AM
is there different grades of wilton vise I got one from a store and it was junk
sorry it is a larin

Kbeitz

A few of my woodworking vises.




 



 
Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

Kbeitz

Here is one vise I use a lot.... I like the table better than the vise. Thats about 8" thick on top.



 

Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

thecfarm

Kbeitz,you got some great stuff.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

sandhills

You really do, what's the connecting rod vice in the top pic?  (or it least looks like one)  ???

kensfarm

Quote from: thecfarm on March 12, 2016, 08:13:17 PM
Kbeitz,you got some great stuff.

X2..  plus your shop looks packed w/ interesting things.   

Kbeitz

Quote from: sandhills on March 12, 2016, 08:50:20 PM
You really do, what's the connecting rod vice in the top pic?  (or it least looks like one)  ???

The second picture ?

Thats a homemade metal bender.

Thanks to everyone for the phrase...
Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

Kbeitz

I bet your talking about the one with the red plate behind it.
It's a wire bending vise.



 
Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

kensfarm

That bench is a beast..  what was it made for originally? 

Kbeitz

Quote from: kensfarm on March 14, 2016, 01:46:20 AM
That bench is a beast..  what was it made for originally?
Told that it is an anvil bench. Kinda rair. Sure comes in handy.



 
Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

lowpolyjoe

Quote from: Kbeitz on March 11, 2016, 06:34:00 AM
Here is a few small ones I have...



 

Amazing collection Kbeitz :)

I see in this pic a small, simple clamp type thing in the bottom left.    I got something like that in my set of antique woodworking tools but wasn't sure what it is.  I might have already asked before but I  don't remember.   What's that thing for ?

Kbeitz

Thats just a hand held vise....



 
Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

rick carpenter

Smaller used Columbian and Columbian-made Craftsman vices in decent to good condition are pretty easy to find. I've got the latter 506 51800 in 3-1/2" with a swivel base plus a no-name 3" clamp-on/screw-on.
Suburban Redneck raised up in the Deep South!

loggah

Nice vise collection !!! lots of odd ones,i have a half a dozen odd vises hanging around ,but the ones i use are Parker ,i really like their vises,i also like the old Parker shotguns,but i cant afford them! ;D
Interests: Lombard Log Haulers,Tucker Sno-Cats, Circular Sawmills, Shingle Mills, Maple Syrup Making, Early Construction Equipment, Logging Memorabilia, and Antique Firearms

Jeff

I didn't have a vice to put on my bench, so this weekend being a big flea market and yard sale weekend, I went looking. For a total of what I would have paid for a harbor freight vice, I now have 3. A daddy vice, a momma vice and a baby vice. :D  All old American made I think. Two for sure. I think the middle sized one is an older craftman, but not sure.

  

  

 
Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

Kbeitz

Quote from: loggah on April 15, 2016, 07:12:39 AM
Nice vise collection !!! lots of odd ones,i have a half a dozen odd vises hanging around ,but the ones i use are Parker ,i really like their vises,i also like the old Parker shotguns,but i cant afford them! ;D

The Parker family had something to do with the Scranton Lace Co. in Scranton Pa.
That was a very large lace factory that closed up in 2002. They had 100's of Parker vises
all over in that factory. During the sale me and my brother bought around 50 Parker vises.

History of the Parkers.

http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92364

Scranton Lace... Great pictures...

http://artofabandonment.com/2010/08/scranton-lace-company/




 



 
Collector and builder of many things.
Love machine shop work
and Wood work shop work
And now a saw mill work

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